Iron County Attorney: Michael Haight abuse case never formally screened for charges
ENOCH, Utah (KUTV) — Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson said a 2020 abuse case involving Michael Haight was never actually formally screened for charges.
Haight is the Enoch father who murdered his family and then killed himself in early January.
Earlier this week, Enoch officials revealed Haight had been investigated for child abuse in 2020.
In a statement regarding the case, Enoch city officials said, “Once the investigation was completed by the Enoch City Police Department and DCFS, the Enoch City Police Department communicated with the Iron County Attorney’s office and reviewed the details of the investigation. After this review, it was determined that this case did not meet all the elements required by statute for prosecution.”
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In a statement released Wednesday, Dotson elaborated further, writing:
“The Iron County Attorney’s Office has reviewed a police report from 2020 involving an investigation into Michael Haight. At the time, our office was contacted by phone and it was determined that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. Although specifics are not articulated, this conclusion was likely based on an inability to prove each element of the offense(s) beyond a reasonable doubt and/or statute of limitations barriers. The case, including interviews and police reports, was not sent to our office for formal screening.
The Iron County Attorney’s Office takes allegations of child abuse very seriously. When law enforcement is unsure whether criminal charges are appropriate, cases are sent to our office to be formally screened. We review such cases and all associated reports and interviews in depth. Only then do we determine whether sufficient evidence exists to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The Iron County Attorney’s Office remains deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the victims and continues to send our condolences to those affected.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic or dating violence, resources are available to help. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition hotline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-897-5465, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.
If you suspect child abuse is occurring, you can report it to state officials at 855-323-3237.
